Understanding Early Morning Awakening: Depression & Anxiety

The inability to sleep throughout the night is a symptom of both anxiety and depression. It stands to reason that people who suffer from anxiety and depression often awaken early.

Considerations

• According to the Mayo Clinic, waking too early not only is a symptom of insomnia, but also is a symptom of depression and anxiety.

Effects

• Waking before getting a full night's sleep can wreak havoc on a person's day. It interferes with quality of life, health and mood. It zaps energy and makes it difficult to function throughout the day.

Solution

• When a patient with anxiety and depression is not getting a full night's sleep, a physician most likely will prescribe a drug that not only treats depression and anxiety, but also has a sedative affect.

Medication

• Antidepressant medications that also have a sedative affect are trazodone, doxepin and mirtazapine.

Benefits

• Symptoms of anxiety and depression are likely to diminish once proper treatment is administered and normal sleep is restored.